While I’m as cynical as the next conservative about presidential memorabilia (and I’m sure plenty will be hawked at the Inauguration), I’m not sure the “kind eyes” of the commemorative plate can be blamed on the activist, liberal illuminati. I’ve seen too much commemorative junk in Sunday ads and coupon circulars alone, much less QVC. Recall, for instance, the amount of household items bearing Princess Diana’s visage. Plates, towels, spoons, postcards, Barbies, porcelain dolls. And that’s just the beginning.

It’s not limited to official merch, either: there are ridiculous conversations taking place on Obama product preferences, like whether Barack favors iPod or Zune.

Great. A celebrity in the White House.